15 minNothing at all
Colour Hunt Around the House
Name a colour. They run. You sit down.
🦶
One Leg Balance Challenge
How long can you stand on one leg? Now with your eyes shut.
Needs nothing, takes five minutes, and is far harder than any child expects.
What you need
Nothing at all.
How to do it
- Stand on one leg and count how many seconds you last.
- Write the number down.
- Try the other leg. It will be worse, which is always a surprise.
- Now try it with eyes closed. Everyone falls almost immediately.
- Try again the next day and see if the numbers improve.
Why this is good for them
Balance depends on the vestibular system and on proprioception, and closing the eyes removes the visual crutch that was doing most of the work. Children find that genuinely astonishing, and the daily improvement is fast enough to keep them coming back.
Adapting by age
3 to 4 yearsHold a hand and count to five together.
10 to 12 yearsBalance on a cushion, or pass a ball between hands while balancing.
Keep it safe
Clear space, soft floor, and nothing hard to fall against.
Cleanup tip
None.
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